Browsing by Author "Lawal, A. M."

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Evaluation of phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of leaves and stem bark extracts of sarcocephalus latifolius
(2018) Oluremi, B.; Oloche, J. J.; Fasusi, E. T.; Lawal, A. M.
Sarcocephalus latifolius is reported to have a wide range of medicinal properties and it is commonly used in the treatment of malaria, hypertension, diarrhea, dysentery and dental problems. Considering its characteristics, it is important to identify the phytochemical constituents and further evaluate the antimicrobial activity. Thus, this study was designed to identify the phytochemical constituents and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the leaf and stem bark extracts of Sarcocephalus latifolius on bacteria strains isolated from dental samples. The phytochemical compounds in leaf and stem bark extracts of Sarcocephalus latifolius were analyzed using GC-QPMS. The mixture of bioactive compounds present in leaf and stem extracts of Sarcocephalus latifolius were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria for inhibition of growth using agar-cup-diffusion method. Results emerging from this study show that a total of 19 compounds and 25 compounds were identified from the leaf and stem bark extracts respectively. Decanoic acid, decanoic acid, benzene carboxylic acid and terpenes; phytol and farnesyl acetatewere identified to be the main constituents. Furthermore, the extracts at concentrations of 25-50 mg/ml inhibited the growth of bacteria isolates in a manner that is comparable to the standard antibiotic (p<0.05). The significant zones of inhibition of bacterial growth by leaf and stem extracts of Sarcocephalus latifolius validates the use of extracts of Sarcocephalus latifolius in traditional medicine and as a promising source of antimicrobial agents.
Modelling self-assessed vulnerability to HIV and its associated factors in a HIV-burdened country
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2017) Fagbamigbe, A. F.; Lawal, A. M.; Idemudia, E. S.
Background: Globally, individuals’ self-assessment of vulnerability to HIV infection is important to maintain safer sexual behaviour and reduce risky behaviours. However, determinants of self-perceived risk of HIV infection are not well documented and differ. We assessed the level of self-perceived vulnerability to HIV infection in Nigeria and also identified its risk factors. Methods: We explored a recent nationally representative data with self-reported vulnerability (‘high’, ‘low’ and ‘no risk at all’) to HIV infection as the outcome of interest. Data were weighted and association between the outcomes and the risk factors determined. We used simple ordered logit regression to model relationship between the outcome variable and risk factors, and controlled for the significant variables in multiple ordered logistic regression at 5% significance level. Results: About 74% had good knowledge of HIV transmission and 6% had experienced STI recently. The likelihood of assessing oneself as having ‘no risk at all’ was 50% and for ‘high chances’ was 1.6%. Self-perceived high risk of HIV was higher among those who recently experienced STI (5.6%) than those who did not (1.7%), and also higher among those who recently engaged in transactional sex and had multiple sexual partners. The odds of good knowledge of HIV transmission on high self-perceived vulnerability to HIV was 19% higher than poor knowledge (OR ¼ 1.19, 95% CI: 1.12–1.27). Also, respondents who recently had multiple sexual partners were 72% (OR ¼ 1.72, 95% CI: 1.60–1.86) more likely to report self as having high risk. Younger respondents aged 14–19 years had higher odds of 41% (OR ¼ 1.41, 95% CI: 1.29–1.55) to perceive self as having high vulnerability to HIV than older respondents. Conclusion: High vulnerability to HIV infection was reported among younger respondents, those with history of STIS and those who engage in multiple sexual relations. Despite high level of risky sexual behaviour and good knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention found in this study, self-perceived vulnerability to HIV generally is low. For the low perception found in this study to translate to low chance of HIV infection, there is need for all stakeholders to embark on risk reduction initiatives through sexual education that would minimise risky sexual practices and ensuring availability and affordability of HIV prevention methods.